Councilman Michael Halley made the motion to approve the appointment, which was seconded by councilwoman Connie Boyer. The council passed the motion unanimously.

“I’m excited to join this commission,” said Cleveland. “I have a lot of experience in development … and have an interest in the relationship of good planning and real estate development.”

Fairfield code allows the mayor, with approval from the council, to appoint seven residents to the commission who he determines are qualified to make decisions pertaining to the development of city planning. The positions are volunteer-based and terms last five years.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone on the commission and working with them,” said Cleveland.

Malloy said Cleveland’s background in real estate made him a good fit for the commission. Cleveland said he originally approached the mayor about the vacant city council seat, but was interested when Malloy informed him of the planning and zoning opening.

“He [the mayor] really thought I would be able to contribute in this arena,” said Cleveland. “ … He has a good understanding of my background.”

Cleveland said he’s had ample contact with Fairfield’s zoning laws during the past 30 years while developing numerous commercial and residential buildings in town. He and a partner built the Tetra Building in Fairfield in the early 1980s, he said, as well as renovated the Broadway Building.

“Both are nice-looking buildings that have contributed to the community,” he said.

When asked what he’ll strive for in his duties, Cleveland said “balance.”

“I will consider what is best for the community from the perspective of the environment as well as business and development,” he said.

With a history in development, he said he understands developer’s priorities on a practical level.

“You learn to respect what a developer has to go through, and what is takes to build a building and to go through all the regulations,” he said.

As a longtime Fairfield resident, he said he also will consider environmental impacts and the best interest of residents.

“A developer wants to make something nice and to make a profit; the community wants to make sure the town has a nice feel to it, look to it and is a pleasing place to live,” he said.

Cleveland said he welcomes a new learning experience being involved with local government.

“My focus has been on business for the past 40 years, I’ve never really been involved in the government side,” he said. “It will be a challenge and a new adventure.”